Pakistan Announce Asia Cup & Asian Games Squads as Diana Baig Dropped

Pakistan have announced their squads for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup 2026 and Asian Games 2026, with veteran fast bowler Diana Baig notably left out of both teams.

The selection marks a significant change in Pakistan’s Women’s Cricket setup as the selectors look to give younger players greater opportunities. Baig, who has been an important part of Pakistan’s bowling attack since 2015, has paid the price for a disappointing run of form.

Diana Baig dropped from both squads

Diana Baig’s omission is the biggest talking point from Pakistan’s latest squad announcement. The experienced pacer struggled to make an impact during the recent World Cup campaign and was eventually left out of the playing XI.

Her exclusion from both the Asia Cup and Asian Games squads indicates that the selectors are prepared to move in a different direction with their pace attack. Saira Jabeen, Waheeda Akhtar and Tasmia Rubab have been included across the two assignments.

Meanwhile, Aliya Riaz has also missed out on the Asia Cup squad but remains part of the Asian Games team. Riaz’s inclusion in the Asian Games squad is partly explained by the fact that the roster was finalized earlier in June.

Fatima Sana returns as Pakistan captain

Fatima Sana will return to lead Pakistan after her brief absence while playing in The Hundred. She will captain a squad featuring a mixture of experienced players and emerging talents.

The new-look bowling group will include Saira Jabeen, Waheeda Akhtar and Tasmia Rubab, while spinners such as Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan will add variety to the attack.

Pakistan women’s Asia Cup squad

Pakistan have selected a 15-member squad for the Women’s Asia Cup, with wicketkeeper Najiha Alvi and left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal included specifically for the continental tournament.

Pakistan women’s squad for Asia Cup: Fatima Sana (captain), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper), Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.

Reserves: Tasmia Rubab, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees and Sadaf Shamas.

Pakistan women’s Asian Games squad

The Asian Games squad is slightly different from the Asia Cup group. Aliya Riaz returns to the squad, while Tasmia Rubab and Humna Bilal are included in the main team.

Pakistan women’s squad for Asian Games: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Humna Bilal, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper), Nashra Sundhu, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani.

Reserves: Natalia Parvaiz, Waheeda Akhtar, Sadia Iqbal, Syeda Aroob Shah and Rameen Shamim.

Pakistan face India in Asia Cup group stage

Pakistan have been placed in a group alongside India, Hong Kong and Thailand for the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup.

Pakistan will begin their campaign against Thailand on September 1. They will then face arch-rivals India on September 5 before completing the group stage against Hong Kong on September 7.

The Asian Games campaign will begin later in September. Pakistan are scheduled to face Thailand in the fourth quarter-final on September 17.

Pakistan looking to recover from poor T20I form

The squad overhaul comes after a difficult period for Pakistan women’s cricket. The team has managed only two victories in its last 10 completed T20Is.

Pakistan also endured a disappointing World Cup campaign, winning only one of their five matches. They later suffered defeats against Ireland and the West Indies before losing their T20I series in Sri Lanka.

The selectors will now hope that the combination of experienced players and younger talent can help Pakistan rebuild ahead of two important international tournaments.